Author Topic: Varmint Rifle? (Read 1129 times)

tanoose · « **on:** January 23, 2006, 09:36:37 AM »

I have been looking for an excuse to buy another handi rifle and i think i want a rifle that can handle woodchucks to coyotes and if the conditions are right maybe a deer or two. I would like some opinions on my choice. I think i will go with the 25/06 handi rifle with its 26" barrel and was also wondering how the recoil compared to a 30/06 handi rifle. A friend of mine wants to do the same but he is thinking of the 22" 7mm-08 handi rifle. So what do you guys think. Thanks Tanoose

mattparliament · « **Reply #1 on:** January 23, 2006, 09:40:59 AM »

personally, I think you would be well-served by a 243. Easier on you if you do any long range sessions, awesome speed with 58 grain v-max for your chucks, and some heavier loads work really well on deer. Just my 2 cents...

myarmor · « **Reply #2 on:** January 23, 2006, 09:51:15 AM »

The 25-06's have a great reputation for accuracy in a Handi, as do the heavy barrel 243's. I personally am a big fan of long barrels, and love the 26". Either of these would serve you well, and are capable of taking down deer, let alone varmints.
Just remember though, the fluted bull barrel 243's are availible now... :grin: :wink:
-Aaron

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 23, 2006, 09:59:21 AM »

With bullets from 55 gr. to 120 gr. you can't go wrong with the .243 and with all the load data you can find a load that will shoot in a handi for everything from groundhogs to deer .

GeorgiaDave · « **Reply #4 on:** January 23, 2006, 11:12:13 AM »

Hello,
Both of the calibers you mentioned will accomplish the tasks. One thing to consider is the ammo availibility whether you reload or not. The .243 ammo will be both easier to find and cheaper than the 25-06. They are both offered in similiar weights and are flat shooting enough for shots at over 300 yards. One caliber that gets overlooked a lot is the .280 Rem. I aquired one of these rifles in a trade and after studying the ballistics found it to be only slightly behind the performance of the 7mm Mags. A light bullet of around 125 gr. will put varmints in range out to 400 yards or farther and with the 175 gr Grand Slams they will take most any large game.

The options that are available in these Handis insure that you can get a simple, effective rifle to do a multitude of tasks. Good Shooting !!

Dave

safetysheriff · « **Reply #5 on:** January 23, 2006, 11:40:19 AM »

Quote from: stimpylu32

With bullets from 55 gr. to 120 gr. you can't go wrong with the .243

it may have been a 'typo' but i think the heaviest .243 bullet is around 107 grains. but, the problem is how hard it is on barrels. some don't like to hear it, but if you shoot a lot it really is tough on the throat / leade. i loaded some very accurate 100 gr' Sierra spbt's for a friend. excellent accuracy with either xmr-4350 or Win-760 in a Model 700. but i NEVER saw a barrel overheated with three shots like that .243 in that Remington. never saw a 7mm Rem' Mag' heat a barrel like that.....and we shot some Fast ones out of the Ruger my buddy owns in 7mm.

i'd go with a .22-250 using BL-C(2) or bulk WC-846 with 50 gr' bullets on varmints and Hornady 60 gr' spire points on deer "if conditions are right" out to maybe 250 yds depending on how large the deer. (if hit properly the 60 gr' spire point drops deer in a hurry!). the .22-250 can be loaded to over 3400 fps with the 60 gr' bullet without killing the barrel if you try either of those powders we have used, and don't shoot 'em up too fast. (let the barrel cool).

Hornady had been selling their .22-250 with that 60 gr' spire point as being a deer-rated cartridge just a couple years ago.

take care,

ss'

t-roy · « **Reply #6 on:** January 24, 2006, 03:58:40 AM »

check you regulations before you buy. in many states .243 is the minimum caliber allowed for deer. i have a bolt gun in .243, and i love it.

cheatermk3 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 24, 2006, 05:34:22 AM »

Tanoose,

You don't say what caliber, but it seems to me that if you already have a handi in a big-game cartridge, (30-06?) and you're wanting a varmint gun, you really ought to be considering one of the varmint calibers.

For myself, a big part of the satisfaction I get from varmint hunting is being able to see the hit in your scope. For all practical purposes, in a handi this means no caliber bigger than the 223 Remington.

I think that the new 204 Ruger is the hottest thing to come along in years if I was wanting a varmint gun that's what I'd get. Negligible recoil (you get to see the hit) and enough power for prarie dogs up to coyotes.

Of course there's always the 22 Hornet, and the 223 Rem. comes in a Ultra varmint too.

Have fun deciding!

tanoose · « **Reply #8 on:** January 24, 2006, 09:27:51 AM »

Thanks for all your replys i have got my mind set on the 26" 25/06 i just wanted to make sure it would be a decent varmint cartridge and i have heard is was a good deer round. The 223 and 243 i already have tried and i sold both ( wont sell any rifle ever again) so i wanted something different something i dont see used muchhear in NY and i wanted to try a longer barrel. Thanks again Tanoose

harvester · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2006, 06:02:08 AM »

the 204 ruger is the perfect varmint gun. i wasn't convinced, but after seeing coyotes shot with a .223, a .22-250, and a .204, the 204 wins hands down. better ballistics than the .223, very close to the .22-250, with less chance of hide damage as well.

there is no gun that makes a good varmint round and deer round. the .243 does *ok* on both, but excels with neither.

if you want a deer gun, buy a deer gun. if you want a varmint gun, buy a varmint gun.

if you bought the .25-06, you bought a deer gun. that is, unless you don't mind excessive hide damage on your varmints. if you're not concerned about that though, then buy any caliber you want.

tanoose · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2006, 01:21:15 PM »

I disagree i beleive from what i have read and people i have spoken with i believe the 25/06 is a varmint rifle more then a deer rifle. With the 75 and 87 grain bullets it should do well to 400 yds and beyond. Yes i know the 117 and 120 grain bullets have worked well on deer but if i were looking for a deer rifle i have to look no futher then my 308 or 30/06. But i did want a caliber thet if the conditions were right i might try it on deer. Thanks to all that have posted Later Tanoose

quickdtoo · « **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2006, 01:29:28 PM »

I think you'll find the .25-06 is too much gun for a full time varmint gun, but plays well in the medium game role where less shooting is the norm...

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/gun_columns/notes/bore_0625/

There is a distinct different between colony shooting varmints(PD and little critters) and predators(mainly coyotes), something that's been missed in this thread so far.

Tim

tanoose · « **Reply #12 on:** January 25, 2006, 01:51:48 PM »

Thanks for that article Quick i was reading another thread a short while ago and it seems that many agree with you Harvester lots of hunters using the 25/06 on Deer. Well i plan to use it 90% on coyotes and maybe even on fox and i'll even give it a try on Deer on a couple of open fields , i'm going to give the 25/06 a try . Thanks again to all Later Tanoose

mitchell · « **Reply #13 on:** January 25, 2006, 04:09:38 PM »

my personal opinion is there isn't enough difference to worry about between the 243 and the 25-06, i don't care what paper says , in field is different.

i've had both in a few different gun too and for what you want i would get the 243 its 10 times the varmint gun that the 25-06 is and it can kill deer just as good as any other gun (bang flop).

Paul5388 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 25, 2006, 04:55:58 PM »

I think you're making the right choice. I've had .243s and 6mms since 1965 and while they suffice, they don't have what the .25-06 has. The .25-06 has as much powder capacity as you'll ever need in a .25, but it can still be loaded down to .243 ballistics or lower.

IMO, cartridges based on the .30-06 or 7X57 are just hard to beat and the ones based on the .308 will always be second best. :eek:

BTW, if anyone is unhappy with their .25-06 barrel, I have a good .243 barrel I'll swap with you.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 25, 2006, 07:07:54 PM »

Heck you guys...he should just buy 1 and have more barrels fitted to it

That way he has it all covered....

Mac

safetysheriff · « **Reply #16 on:** January 26, 2006, 12:19:19 PM »

quickd'

i think you deserve a compliment, sir. once again you have posted a link to a site that someone can reference for additional information and opinion. it seems to be a standard that you have held to for some time now. i think it is a noteworthy addition to our forum that you have done so, so many times.

i thank you, again, for the 'extras' that you -- and Mac, too -- continue to bring to our members. i have said so to Mac before, and now it is your turn.

many thanks, Tim,

ss'

ps: yes, i read the article this evening.